Men should take care dressing for rites, too
The bride takes great pains to ensure she gets exactly the right dress, the right color and the right fit. The groom should take equal care when it comes to the fit of his tuxedo, experts said.

Electronics makers hawk solid products
LAS VEGAS - The world's premier consumer electronics show wouldn't be complete without the fanciful and outlandish: A smart oven preserved and cooked meals based on remote commands, while a 102-inch plasma TV - taller than the 8-foot walls in many homes - inspired ooohs and aaahs from couch potatoes.

United loses court ruling
CHICAGO - A federal bankruptcy judge threw out a disputed new five-year contract between United Airlines and its pilots Friday, dealing the bankrupt carrier a significant blow in its efforts to lock in lower labor costs without a court order.

Boiling Point
Water is expected to come to a boil this legislative session.

Hiring for 2004 hits 5-year high
WASHINGTON - U.S. employers added 157,000 workers overall to their payrolls in December, bringing the year-end total of new jobs to 2.2 million, the best showing in five years.

Conferences address crop production, pests
South Plains producers can update their skills in everything from crop production to pest management and earn continuing education units at upcoming Texas Cooperative Extension conferences in January and February.

Oil prices remain above $45 after surge
LONDON - Crude futures fell slightly and remained above $45 a barrel Friday after a $2 surge in prices the day before that forced investors anticipating a falling market to cover their bets.

Amber Waves: A way of life can't be cloned
To clone or not to clone, that is the question for the day. A recent Associated Press story told about KC and her lively calf, Sunshine. KC is a 2-year-old cow and is the first cloned from a dead cow.

Investors keep markets fluctuating
NEW YORK - Uncertain investors pushed stocks lower in a meandering session Friday as a key government jobs report failed to answer Wall Street's lingering questions about the economy and interest rates. The major indexes ended the first week of 2005 with a loss.

Lady Raider reunites with former teammate
LUBBOCK - When Alesha Robertson and Chelsi Welch chose different paths for their collegiate basketball careers, they made a pact: No matter what the future had in store, the best friends promised to stay in touch and encourage each other throughout their journeys.

It's still 'peace on Earth, good will to all men'
Thank goodness 2004 is over. I hope this past year is remembered as the nadir of our spiral into the mistakes of the 21st century. The global reputation we have achieved is that of a self-serving nation imposing our will on a weaker nation that did not truly threaten our security.

Faith News
Amarillo South begins third Sunday service - AMARILLO SOUTH CHURCH will begin having services at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday at the church, 6901 BELL ST. The nondenominational outreach church also has a service at 5:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Congregational Corner
New name, new building, new programs - if the old congregation of Temple of Praise has its way, it will get a whole new church.

And On The 12th Day
A season, a day, a flash of insight - all three define the word "Epiphany."

MLK activities scheduled
The Black Historical Culture Center will be the scene each day this week for activities honoring the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Home weddings: Plan ahead
You imagine your family and friends gathered for your wedding in the place where you grew up - amongst your fondest memories... not to mention the stained carpet, mismatched sofa pillows and leaky plumbing.

Dr. Gott: Reader should insist on blood test
DEAR DR. GOTT: Since 1988, I have taken Synthroid for an underactive thyroid gland. Blood tests have shown considerable variation in my thyroid level. About every four months I have to adjust (either up or down) my Synthroid dosage.

Program to focus on digital cameras
Thanks to Santa Claus, lots of you are bragging to your friends that you too have joined the legions who have switched to a digital camera.

Art Beat: Show displays night moves; another rock solid
Artists in particular, please take note: My deadline for submitting Artbeat columns for the Sunday paper is Tuesday. Monday is my deadline for seeing shows. If you're exhibiting, and haven't mounted your show promptly when the first Monday comes at or near the beginning of the month, then it has to wait another week or two for a review.

Fiction editor to speak to PPW
Carolyn Wall, fiction editor at Byline Magazine, will present a multiple-topic program at Saturday's meeting of the Panhandle Professional Writers at the Amarillo Senior Citizens Association, 1200 S. Tyler St.

Details, Details
JoAnn Cruz-Perez has endured years of teasing for her to-do lists.

Gorillas ground Saints
With their third division win in five days, the Amarillo Gorillas got their first taste of first place Saturday night.

Degagne stones Lubbock
In recording their second consecutive shutout Friday night, the Amarillo Gorillas climbed into position to move into a first-place tie in the Central Hockey League's Southwest Division tonight.

Perryton tops River Road
Perryton might not have liked the aesthetics of Friday's District 1-3A opener at River Road. But it loved the result.

Down for the count
Palo Duro wrestling fans might have noticed something missing Tuesday night during the Dons' and Lady Dons' home duals against Caprock.

Wrestler With a Plan
Caprock's Crystal Valdez, left, works for a double leg takedown as Amarillo High's Toni Cortez fights her off during a 97- pound match Friday afternoon at Caprock.

Metro Boys Roundup: Wildcats roll to 20th victory
Daniel Rasband scored 18 points and his brother, David Rasband, clinched a 61-54 win over Littlefield by making all eight of his free throw attempts in the fourth quarter Friday night. The Wildcats (20-4) won their 20th game this season and will open District 1-3A play next Friday at Borger.

Officials find body in ditch
The Randall County Sheriff's Department is investigating the death of a man found naked and bound Friday afternoon in a ditch south of Amarillo.

Ex-coach faces new hearing
A former Tascosa High school coach sentenced to 40 years in prison after a judge revoked his probation faces a second probation revocation hearing later this month in Potter County.

Education News
Students who have REGISTERED FOR SPRING SEMESTER classes but have not paid their invoices before 7:30 p.m. Monday will be dropped. WebAdvisor and telephone registration will be taken offline at that time. "Pay as You Go" registration starts at 6 a.m. Tuesday and continues through Jan. 20. Call the START Center at 371-5175.

Guest Column: Session brings hope for a better Texas for all
LUBBOCK - Every session begins with the hope that we will be able to make Texas a safer, stronger, smarter place for our constituents. This session is no different. And, similar to each of those legislatures past, this one faces challenges to meeting those goals.

EDITORIALS AND COLUMNS
Editorials on the left side of the facing page are the opinion of the Amarillo Globe-News, as determined by its editorial board.

Editorial: School finance leads agenda
To a man, the Panhandle's legislative delegation agrees that the 2005 Legislature's top priority should be finding a way to pay for the state's public education system.

Tips from SmartMoney.com
Don't forget to ask the hotel for discounts. Check out packages and negotiate for cheaper room rates. Also, try to cut airline costs as well. If you're inviting 10 or more,

Men should take care dressing for rites, too
The bride takes great pains to ensure she gets exactly the right dress, the right color and the right fit. The groom should take equal care when it comes to the fit of his tuxedo, experts said.

Police investigate strip-searching
LA MARQUE - Police are investigating after 10 students between the ages of 11 and 12 were strip-searched while officials at their award-winning charter school tried to find a missing $10 bill.

Jury seated in Abu Ghraib trial
FORT HOOD - A jury of 10 soldiers was selected Friday to decide the fate of the soldier prosecutors call the ringleader of the prisoner abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

Prosecutors to retry man in 1980 triple murder
HOUSTON - Harris County prosecutors are preparing to retry a man for a 1980 triple homicide following a federal appeals court's decision to reverse his capital murder conviction for a second time.

TB deadline extended for cattle in Texas
LUBBOCK - U.S. Department of Agriculture officials have for a second time extended a cattle tuberculosis testing deadline in Texas, keeping animal transport trucks rolling in the nation's leading cattle producing and exporting state.

Sergeant sentenced in Iraq drowning case
FORT HOOD - An Army platoon sergeant was sentenced Saturday to six months in military prison but will not be discharged for ordering soldiers to force Iraqis into the Tigris River at gunpoint.

Hutchison speaks well of conference
IRVING - Wrapping up a two-day conference that gathered the state's top scientists, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said Friday that friendships were renewed, ties were strengthened and collaborative efforts discussed.

Jury still deliberating in Iraqi drowning case
FORT HOOD - After deliberating nearly 10 hours over two days, jurors asked for more evidence Friday in the military trial of an Army platoon sergeant charged in the drowning death of an Iraqi civilian.

McKinley - Elkins
April Ann McKinley of Amarillo and Aaron John Elkins of Parker, Colo., were married Saturday, Jan. 8, at Polk Street United Methodist Church. The Rev. Marty Hamrick and the Rev. Joel Johns, brother-in-law of the groom, officiated.

Mr. and Mrs. Denton
Betty and Beale Denton of Borger celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary Saturday, Jan. 1, with a family gathering.

Moreland - Godwin
Courtney Michelle Moreland and James Deris Godwin, both of Amarillo, were married Saturday, Jan. 8, at The Church at Quail Creek San Jacinto Baptist. The Rev. Dale Moreland officiated.

Mr. and Mrs. Toler
Freida and David Toler of Amarillo celebrated their 25th anniversary with a vow renewal ceremony and reception at the Amarillo Federation of Women's Clubs on Saturday, Dec. 11.

Leiter - Chapman
Tiffany Rose Leiter of Austin and Andrew Wayne Chapman of Amarillo were married Saturday, Jan. 8, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin. The Rev. William Daniel Cravy officiated.

Mr. and Mrs. Lowe
Helen and Neal Lowe of Amarillo celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a reception Sunday, Jan. 9, at Polk Street United Methodist Church parlor. The event was hosted by the daughter of the couple and her husband.

Moldovan - Evans
"Marianne" MacKenzie Moldovan of Houston and "Luke" David Evans of Amarillo were married Saturday, Jan. 8, at Central Presbyterian Church in Austin. The Rev. Thomas C. Gibbs officiated.

Collie - Turner
Lori Collie and Ryan Turner, both of Amarillo, were married Saturday, Dec. 11, at West Amarillo Christian Church. The Rev. Micah Meurer officiated.

Lady Buffs look to rebound from loss
West Texas A&M's Lady Buffs will try to bounce back from their worst shooting performance of the season when they meet an improved Central Oklahoma team in a Lone Star Conference crossover matchup today at WT Event Center.

UCO surprises Lady Buffs
When Central Oklahoma's Lady Bronchos hit the road for a two-game women's basketball swing at Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M on Wednesday, UCO head coach Shawn Williams would gladly have taken a split.